The Cost of FCAT Testing

Florida spends two hundred fifty four million dollars over five years to develop and grade FCAT tests.

NCS Pearson won the contract in 2009 and the state has the option to extend that contract for two years in 2013.

In 2010, the company paid a fifteen million dollar fine for late results.

The Department of Education says a significant increase in failed writing scores is not likely the company's fault, but many school teachers say the money could be spent in the classroom.

Rocky Hanna, local high school principal weighed in on the matter: "We go from FCAT 1.5 to FCAT 2.0, now we are going to eliminate FCAT. Next year is the last year of FCAT writing as we move toward common core testing, common core end of course exams. This is a way for people to constantly change. It's like technology...once you buy it, its outdated and they want you to buy something different."

A Department of Education review of the company's performance is underway, but some are calling for an independent examination.